FROZEN SHOULDER

ABOUT FROZEN SHOULDER

Frozen shoulder is a condition where the shoulder joint stiffens to the point where any movement is difficult or painful. In a frozen shoulder, the fibrous casing that surrounds the joint becomes inflamed and thickens or becomes scarred. As it thickens or scars, it tightens the shoulder joint and this causes the pain and stiffness. We can treat frozen shoulder in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Worksop.

The exact cause of frozen shoulder isn’t known but possible factors include shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, or surgery and also diabetes. Recovering from a frozen shoulder can take months, even years, and some people may never regain full movement in their shoulder.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FROZEN SHOULDER?

Frozen shoulder has two main symptoms:

• Dull ache and pain that does not go away or may worsen at night

• Limited and/or painful movement in your arm

The limited range of motion in a frozen shoulder can make everyday activities difficult, including driving a car or even getting dressed.

Frozen shoulder typically goes through three stages as the condition develops:

• Freezing stage – the most painful stage. The shoulder becomes increasingly painful and begins to stiffen. This can last from two to nine months.

• Frozen stage – there is less pain in the joint however the range of motion is severely limited. This may last up to a year.

• Thawing stage – gradually, the movement begins to return to the shoulder although there may still be some pain until it’s fully healed.

Recovery from a frozen shoulder can take up to five years.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A FROZEN SHOULDER?

Frozen shoulder often gets better on its own and there are no specific treatments. However, your GP or physio will give different advice depending on early or late your diagnosis is:

• Pain management – because early-stage frozen shoulder is so painful, pain management is often a priority and you can use over-the-counter pain relief.

• Rest – early-stage frozen shoulders should be rested until the pain is under control. You may have to adjust your job or lifestyle so you can limit using your shoulder.

• Physiotherapy – your physio will show you gentle exercises to gradually increase the range of shoulder motion. Your physio may also manipulate the joint to help improve shoulder mobility.

There are also several surgical options that can help reduce the tightness or remove the scarring on the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint. Book an appointment to get treatment for your frozen shoulder in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster or Worksop. You can also follow us on social media.